Come Dashain and Tihar, every tole, chowk and street corner ricochets with the distinct rattle of Langur Burja. Hordes of people huddle together, cry for joy in betting frenzy, and occasional cat-and-mouse chase with the cops ensues.
Public gambling isn’t encouraged, but for those rebels at heart, and if you’re seeking some street-side rush, a few words of advice: Wear comfortable shoes! [beak]
“It’s not as if I’m a compulsive gambler. But come festive season, I do indulge in occasional betting for fun. It’s purely recreational. So I find the chase rather
unnecessary. We all play cards at home, that doesn’t mean we are pro-gamblers,” said Roshan Basnet, 21, an audio engineer.
Judging by the similarity in game play, and the style of die used, Langur Burja could very well be Nepal’s version of the 18th century British dice game “Crown and Anchor”. With the only difference being the number of die used – six as opposed to three.
A canvas or mat marked with the six symbols – crown, anchor, diamond, spade, club and heart – on the die are used for play. The game begins by placing a bet on any of the symbols. Bettors can choose as many symbols as they like. The banker takes all the bets, then rattles the cage and rolls the die. If the symbols that were bet on match the face of any of the thrown die, the player wins the bet. If there are no matches, the banker keeps all wagers. Payout is 2:1 for two matching symbol on the die, 3:1 on a three, 4:1 on a four, and so on. If the banker rolls six die that match the symbol with a wager upon it, the banker must pay six times the wager.
However the chances of that happening are pretty slim, it’s not impossible but unlikely. Thus, the banker does have a substantial edge.
Having said that, it’s illegal to host a game at one’s house if you’re profiting from it; it’s known as raking.
Aryan Thapalia, 36, father of two, says he’s been playing cards and dice games in Dashain and Tihar for the past two decades, and it has become a tradition for him.
“If you play a game of Langur Burja or poker and don’t bet, it’s like food missing the vital ingredient, salt,” he says.
He’s well aware of the repercussions associated with hardcore gambling, so he believes in practicing moderation.
Most gambling laws were created for the sole purpose of protecting the general public from developing addiction as a result of easy access to gambling establishments. The other reason is to discourage citizens from operating gambling facilities for profit. Games played at homes, for the most part, are not guilty of either of these things. As long as they are un-raked and if low stakes are used, there should be no problem.
Dic are not harmful, but what one does with them can be. Know your limitations, and you’re good to roll!
The Week doesn’t promote gambling; it’s only included as a part of the Dashain festivities that occur.
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